Blogs from Marrakech, Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz, Morocco, Africa - page 8

We started the day with another nice breakfast at our Riad Eden. They really make a nice breakfast here. We wanted to go to the Marjorelle gardens, designed and owned by the late Yves Saint Laurent. But it was too far to walk on our own so we had to navigate getting a taxi. Robyn and I are paranoid about taxis, and here in Marrakech with our anxiety level at an 11 were were in no mood to be messed with. These are the tricks I employ now when in a sketchy city and I have to get a taxi. -Rate - The money's really not that important but who wants to pay double what they should. So I usually try to ask a rate from a local for how much a taxi should be to ... read more

Geo: 31.6334, -7.9996We enjoyed our final breakfast in Marrakech by vowing to a) eat no more bread. Ever. And b) detox for a year to allow our insulin levels to return to somewhere in the normal range. Every breakfast we have had has been laden with sugar - sweet bread, jam, croissants, pains au chocoats, pancakes, cake, sweet orange juice and fruit yoghurt - a combination of any of these have been the mainstay of our breakfasts, while sugary mint tea has been our welcome drink in every hotel and attraction we've visited. All incredibly delicious but our digestive systems now need a good dose of protein and some simple sugar-free food!We had another mini celebration as we crammed our bags for the final time, managing to cleverly pack our belongings into contortions that resembled Russian ... read more

FRIDAY 3RD APRIL 2015 (AM) - Geoff and Tom text to say they have cleared the Atlas Mountains! Traffic mad in Marrakech and going up and over the mountains was hair-raising but exhilarating at the same time. Really missing the other two teams though. Not sure exactly where they are at the mo, but the last report from Geoff and Tom earlier this morning said that they were just north of Rabat. Really hoping they can catch up soon and drive into Mhamid together. Come on guys! You can all do this! You are so nearly there! So proud of every one of you! xxxxxx - one each! Pictures posted by Sally this morning showing Chris and Ed lending a helping hand. Sally writes: "This is how they fix cars in Morocco!!!" Distance on Google maps ... read more

Some additional photos from the cooking lesson in Marrakech... read more

One of the experiences I was looking forward to in Morocco was a Hammam. I believed it to be similar to a Turkish bath. The truth I found out is: yes and no. Given I have been lucky enough to have experienced a Turkish bath in Istanbul and now a Moroccan Hammam in Marrakesh I do have some basis to make the comparison. In short, going for a Turkish bath is paying to get beat-up by a very large hairy Turkish man who speaks no English and who seems to take a delight in inflicting pain. Whereas a Hammam is paying to be flayed by a large hairy Moroccan woman who who speaks a little English and who seems to take a delight in inflicting pain. Subtle but important differences. In a Turkish bath the "loosening" ... read more